Can anyone tell me about the Indy Marathon (Read 593 times)

Just an FYI I also started a group for this. http://www.runningahead.com/groups/IndyMarathon

Yeah I was talking about the Indianapolis Marathon not to be confused with the Monumental new one I've actually been thinking about both but I am only signed up for the Indy one on the 18th. I've read good reviews before. Have you run the Flying Pig before?

I've run the Indianapolis Marathon a few times. It has grown through the years, but still isn't gigantic. It is a great race, although the course is kind of hard to describe. Several spiral-y things in the beginning. Important note: despite the name, this race has little to nothing to do with Indianapolis proper. It's a nice mostly rural course in Lawrence. Some through a park. You will not see building skyline nor the speedway. I don't remember much of a hill in the last mile. I recall the race as being mostly flattish with a bit of roly poly along the way. TONS of parking across the street from the start/finish. Great aid along the way. Good food at the end. If I recall correctly, this is a hamburger race... meaning you can get a burger at the end. When I did it in 2002, we also got beer. I didn't see any beer in 2007. Then again, the race seemed 3x larger. The new Monumental one will involve actual Indianapolis. Alas, the area (and stupid people from out of town, like me) got burned last year by a race which never quite happened - the theoretical Indy Classic Marathon. We knew something was up months in advance because they advertised that they were trying to attract 40,000 people. Also, they kept referring to their other events as "the 5k marathon", etc.

I heard something aobut one of the indy marathons canceling. Have you heard anything about that?

Okay great. What is the deal with Mile 10. Looks like a big downhill and then big uphill. Trent is right though it does look like it has a big hill at the end. Not very nice thing to do to tired runners. At least it is not Eden Park.

Okay great. What is the deal with Mile 10. Looks like a big downhill and then big uphill. Trent is right though it does look like it has a big hill at the end. Not very nice thing to do to tired runners. At least it is not Eden Park.

I assure you that these hills are not "big" *especially* not compared to the hill in the middle of the pig. That last hill gains about 50-75 feet over the course of 1+ mile. More of an easy incline than a hill. The M10 dip is right at 50ish feet, though it is steeper. This dip at M10 is on the bike path loop through the park. It's easy peasy.

The hills are nothing in comparison to the Flying Pig hills. The one at 10 is pretty gradual, is in a park and a good place to drop a few runners if you are racing. Sort of like how I got droped by a couple of folks last time. The one at the end is not very big but it is at the end and last for what seems like eternity when you have tired legs. I agree with Lopez that the course is hard to describe as it does turn and twist but its mostly in residential areas and well covered. I've not heard of anyone getting lost or missing markings. As for the Indy Classic, sorry you guys got burned on that one. The local running store discussions kept me clear of that one from the start. Too much sizzle and too little steak. The Monumental is a whole different grouping and should be a good run.